SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – If Tony Finau holds on to his tenuous lead at the Waste Management Phoenix Open for his first win in nearly four years, he might have the late Kobe Bryant to thank.
Finau was one of several players in the field who planned tributes to the fallen Lakers star this week at TPC Scottsdale, as he put on one of Bryant’s jerseys in the tunnel leading to the 16th hole during the opening round. He played the hole wearing the jersey, making a par, but wore it again Friday en route to a birdie.
The jersey again helped Finau Saturday on 16, when he fired up the crowd before stuffing his shot to 5 feet for another birdie on the PGA Tour’s most raucous hole.